Orji challenges Kalu to debate, essay competition

THE governor of Abia State, Chief Theodore Orji, has challenged the former governor of the state, Orji Uzor Kalu, to a full blown debate after which they will go for essay writing to tell the people of the state and the country what they have done for their people while in office.

The challenge was thrown to the former governor by the Special Adviser to Governor Orji on politics, Chief Amah Abraham Nnanna, in Umuahia in a chat with The Nation. The governor’s aide said the media war declared against the governor by the former governor needs to be addressed once and for all.

Nnanna, who served Kalu some years ago in the same capacity, said there is no basis for comparison between the two, stressing that the things the present governor has done are there for all to see while the former governor has nothing to show for the eight years he was in charge.

He explained that after the oral television debate, the two political leaders would also go for an essay where they will put down their achievements for posterity, adding that written documents would serve as a reference point for the future generation.

The political adviser said from the last administration to the present, there are many differences like politicians in the state are now one united family unlike before when there were Abuja-based politicians and home based ones.

“Before now, there was acrimony within the politics of the state so much so that if you talk to an Abia politician based in Abuja who we used to call Talibans, you stand the chance of losing your appointment, but now it is no longer so.”

On those who want to take over from the incumbent governor, Amah said all the governorship aspirants in the state have been busy sharing money, without letting the electorate know what they will do as governor.

He maintained that the aspirants have not learnt anything from the present governor. “All they do is to tell their people they are the best person to be the next governor, after which they will drop N5 million for the people, we have gone above this type of politics.”